Divalproex sodium and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Anonymous
• July 14, 2011

Divalproex sodium for Epilepsy "I have taken Depakote for 13 years. Tried Dilantin and Lamictal at one point. They never fully stopped the seizure activity. Once I have learned to take my pills faithfully and have the correct dose, it has become a HUGE BLESSING in my life. I am 'normal.' I have some of the side effects (weight gain, depression, hair falls out), but to me, it is worth it to lead a normal functioning life. I also went through pregnancy on Depakote, and I have a healthy 2-year-old."

• Bip...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 19, 2016

Divalproex sodium for Bipolar Disorder "After my first manic episode at 39, I was hospitalized and chose Depakote over Risperdal due to weight gain fears. It's been 2 weeks, and along with intensive therapy and a healthy lifestyle, it's definitely brought me back to reality."

• Hap...
• December 10, 2015

Divalproex sodium for Migraine Prevention "I was on Topimax 1000 mg a day for approximately 10 years. Yes, I experienced the side effects of tingling in my fingers and toes sporadically. Had a migraine maybe 1 time a year (prior I had 2 migraines a week). Finally, the Topimax became ineffective (body probably was immune) and switched to Depakote 250 mg a day (125 mg in the morning and 125 mg at bedtime). No headache! I did gain 15-20 pounds in the first 3 months - I was well aware of the possible weight gain. Weight gain is well worth it - when the alternative is migraines. Have to weigh pros and cons. Also, I take OTC 5-HTP to combat the fuzziness and such. Can't complain...."

• Ljt...
• March 1, 2017

Divalproex sodium for Migraine Prevention "Depakote was started three months ago when we exhausted all efforts with every other preventive med for migraines and headaches. I have been experiencing these my entire life. Since 6 years old. Now 35. Imitrex was used to try to knock off the migraine, but insurance only provides nine pills a month, so I found myself breaking them just to get through a day. And if overused, they will no longer work. So I'm adding in aspirin and all that junk, ending up in the ER. Just to go back the next two days because the stubborn migraine would come back, or laying in bed holding my head with ice. Needless to say, on a small dose, 250 a day. Wow, a few headaches a week I can deal with. Weight gain, well now I can work out, no real excuse there."

• Joa...
• September 7, 2011

Divalproex sodium for Migraine Prevention "I have been on Depakote ER for three weeks. I've had 4 migraines during this time, which is less than before the Depakote ER. My GP had me on three different medicines for prevention, but the neurologist switched me to Depakote ER. I've had a little weight gain. The problem is I'm on Weight Watchers and should be losing weight. There have been times when my hands have felt shaky (similar to too much caffeine intake). I think it's also affecting my vision. I'm going to call the doctor and ask to switch to something else. Basically, it's helped reduce my migraine frequency but not enough to live with the side effects."

• sla...
• January 9, 2011

Divalproex sodium for Bipolar Disorder "I have taken this medicine for seven years... six of those in conjunction with Zyprexa. I ballooned from 120 lbs to 210 lbs in that space of time. I was not warned that this medicine has the potential to cause massive weight gain, and she insisted to me that the gain was nothing to do with the drug. Came off the drugs independently for 13 months, 95 lbs fell off me easily, but had another episode after that time. Am now on 500 mgs Depakote and 10 mgs Abilify. Don't notice any beneficial effects from this medicine: hair loss, nails breaking below the quick, hand and body tremors, forgetfulness, being abstract and far away, irregular sleep patterns. Want to ask the doctor to try me on Lamictal."

• Alt...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 17, 2018

Divalproex sodium for Bipolar Disorder "I have had three severe manic episodes in my lifetime. First was not diagnosed. The 2nd severe mania hit in '02, and I was given Zyprexa. This took the edge off, but I would wake up in the early morning manic again, once it wore off. When Depakote was added, I really came down. I was manic-episode free for 15 years, with a relapse in ‘17. I was put on Zyprexa and lithium but was still flying high and fast - complete manic. Once a high dose of Depakote was added, I came down for good. This drug has been critical for resolving my manias. My experience with it for long-term treatment has not been good, though - lost a lot of hair, a lot of enthusiasm, and felt like I was in a stupor. I gained weight, but that has happened on all the useful drugs."

• Anonymous
• May 8, 2008

Divalproex sodium for Epilepsy "My 9-year-old daughter has used Depakote for 2 years now for seizure disorder. I am happy with it, as there are little side effects. We increased the dose when a seizure occurred. When the dose is high enough, it helps with her migraines as well. She gained 5 pounds, but we keep it down with a healthy diet."

• Ban...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 4, 2021

Divalproex sodium for Bipolar Disorder "In 2015, I got on Remeron and Seroquel. They made me gain a good amount of weight... 25 lbs, up and down. After years, they didn't have the knockout effect. Last year, in 2020, I was just stressed, all messed up, anxiety out of control. I was currently on 15 mg of Remeron and 300 mg of Seroquel. I was forced on Depakote last year, one year ago in March. Mentally, it worked great, 500 mg twice a day. My anxiety and stress went away. It's still gone a year later. The bad news is I've gained 35 pounds, have less sex drive, and thinning hair on the front, but not sure if that's the Depakote... but lots of people say so. Apparently, on 1000 mg a day, that happens. I'd say it's a great medicine for your anxiety and stress. Maybe only take 500 mg a day. Just like any of these medications, you will gain weight and have cons. But honestly, I was forced into it from the mental hospital a year ago; it did the trick, it fixed my life... and I love my kids, I still have emotions. The worst part is the weight gain and tiredness."

• Che...
• May 11, 2009

Divalproex sodium for Migraine Prevention "I have tried Depakote for migraines, as well as childhood epilepsy. My son has tried it for bipolar disorder. It can and does make me and my son lethargic, can cause an increase in salivation, causes massive weight gain (from 105 to 155 lbs). In my opinion, the possible benefits are not worth the side effects."

• Mea...
• September 4, 2016

Divalproex sodium for Migraine Prevention "I had debilitating migraines for 15 years and went on a small dose of Depakote (125 mg) twenty years ago. It was amazing. Maybe five headaches over all those years. However, I have now gone off hormones and have steady weight gain, increased dizziness, and some depression. I am uncertain what to do. Our chemistry changes as we age, and the science is not keeping up."

• Anonymous
• August 21, 2011

Divalproex sodium for Bipolar Disorder "I have been taking this medicine for 3 weeks. During the three weeks, I have experienced severe mood swings to the point of psychosis. I have had irritability on a daily basis and worsening of depression. The psychosis has made me stop taking the medicine. I had been on Seroquel for years, and because of a huge weight gain, I stopped taking it. I don't know where to go from here."

• pdx...
• October 10, 2011

Divalproex sodium for Bipolar Disorder "I am an active person with a healthy, gluten/dairy-free diet, and within the first 2 months, I gained nearly 40 pounds. I was crying all of the time, fatigued, and then my hair started falling out. It also led to a suicide attempt. Depakote may work very well for some, but for me, it was worse than the disease. Another downside was the cost. With insurance, it was nearly 150.00 dollars a month."

• vol...
• May 14, 2011

Divalproex sodium for Bipolar Disorder "I took Depakote for 3 months at 100 mg to treat bipolar disorder type I. I did see improvements in my mood, but I also experienced weight gain due to the side effect of always feeling hungry. Also, I never felt the signal from my stomach telling me that it was time to stop eating and that I was full."

• Ann...
• November 23, 2016

Divalproex sodium for Epilepsy "It was bad. It made me gain weight. It made me have tremors, which will never completely go away now. I couldn't hold plates or hold cups without shaking. My head started shaking. My new neurologist took me off of them. I was on them for over 20 yrs. I would strongly think about other meds before taking this one, considering the side effects can't go away immediately or not at all."

• Dan...
• September 22, 2009

Divalproex sodium for Epilepsy "I have been on Depakote for about two years now, and it has certainly been effective in stopping both grand mal and petit mal seizures. I was diagnosed with localization-related epilepsy when I was 21, but this drug is great in that it treats many types of epilepsy. Still, I did experience negative side effects, such as hair loss, a little weight gain, and drowsiness, although all of these were slight enough that they didn't really affect my life. Because Depakote isn't ideal for young women like myself, my doctor suggested I try another drug. After a brief stint on Keppra (which made me feel like I was walking in a haze - awful!), however, I switched back to Depakote, only this time adjusting was way harder - I was incredibly emotional."

• Red...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 6, 2021

Divalproex sodium for Bipolar Disorder "Other mood stabilizers I have been put on include Latuda, Lamictal, and Seroquel. Depakote beats them all in both efficacy and tolerability. Was put on this in the hospital after a suicide attempt along with 40 mg Prozac. Greatest med combo ever for my bipolar. Definitely gained some weight the first couple of months, but as I was nearly underweight before, the extra weight filled me out nicely, so I can't complain. Currently taking 1500 mg at night. Definitely helps me sleep better without making me a zombie when I wake up (Seroquel). The only thing that can be a challenge is the general grogginess I feel on this drug. Definitely not like the fog left by Seroquel, but I do yawn a lot and sometimes I need a dose adjustment. But I believe it's a worthy trade for being comfortable in my own skin for once."

• APe...
• September 20, 2015

Divalproex sodium for Epilepsy "I was on Depakote for 1 year following 3 grand mal seizures that had been brought on by starting fluoxetine. Fluoxetine, and most SSRIs, carry the risk of seizures. They hit me hard and without warning, so I was on Depakote for a year after the final seizure and after stopping fluoxetine. It does what it is supposed to do. I had no more seizures; however, I gained over 20 lbs quickly. The weight came back off once I was off the Depakote, but you will most likely put on weight with this medication."

• Anonymous
• April 28, 2010

Divalproex sodium for Epilepsy "Depakote was the first epilepsy medication I ever took, and it did work in controlling my seizures; I never had a single one while on it. However, every single 'lesser' side effect on the drugs.com description sheet happened to me. I became depressed, I gained weight, my body clock went totally haywire, and my periods, which were already irregular, became even more so. I attributed most of this to me just being in middle school (I was in 7th grade at the time), but most of it stopped after my doctor switched me to Lamictal a few months later."

• Bi-...
• April 27, 2011

Divalproex sodium for Bipolar Disorder "I was diagnosed with bipolar back in 1993 after the birth of my last child. Being the youngest in my family, I was not told of the condition being hereditary. I was prescribed 750 mg to begin with and now at 500 mg a day. I cannot attribute any weight gain to Depakote, as at current I am in postmenopause and weight gain is likely. I've had no issues with my liver; however, I do bruise easily. At the time I began Depakote, I was running on overdrive and zapping out, not sleeping, not eating, feeling guilty, anxious, panic attacks, etc. Since then, I have returned to a relatively normal life. I have currently been put on Effexor to help with my postmenopausal symptoms. I'll update you on my progress."

• eev...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 14, 2023

For Borderline Personality Disorder "This drug is one of the worst things that have ever happened to me. I gained 100 lbs within like 5 months, and the stretch marks I got were insane and painful. I could feel my skin ripping, and it burned. I couldn't wear shorts because people in public would very obviously check out the stretch marks on the back of my knees. I got horribly depressed and confused. This medication also made me paranoid and extremely emotional. My acne got worse. I was hungry all the time. The first time I was given this med, my feet swelled up. They were itchy, puffy, and painful. Yet for some reason, I was kept on it. There are deep stretch marks on my stomach, upper arms, sides, inner thigh, outer thigh, side thigh, inner knees, calves, and butt. I cannot put into words just how horrible this experience was for me. Even my mother pointed out the stretch marks and how absurdly severe they were. My face also swelled up, and I was greasy often. It has worked for others, but it really ruined my life."

• Bla...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 28, 2020

Divalproex sodium for Bipolar Disorder "Wonder drug for me, although I only use it as a rescue med if I get an inkling of mania. I don’t take it all the time because I gain weight, and the hair loss is devastating. The upside is that it gives me curly hair (which also hides some of the hair loss). I lose about 50% of my hair volume. The curls slowly relax once I stop taking it. I still had waves two years after I stopped taking it full time. It’s the oddest thing. In addition to adding it as a rescue med, my doctor and I have carefully put together a drug cocktail that works for me: Effexor XR, Risperdal, and bupropion. I don’t feel over-medicated, and it took years to get the formula right. Never stop trying new meds if you aren’t getting good results."

• Anonymous
• November 21, 2011

Divalproex sodium for Bipolar Disorder "After I started this medication, I gained 10 pounds in 2 weeks. After taking this for 3 months, I went from 212 to 265 pounds. I hadn't changed my eating habits, so I was annoyed that I had to work hard to lose the 53 pounds I gained on this medication."

• dre...
• October 28, 2009

Divalproex sodium for Epilepsy "I have been on Depakote for 13 years after I had 2 grand mal seizures in one year. After being placed on the Depakote delayed release, I have been fine ever since. There was a time that I tried the extended release and my legs started to show some spikes, so I switched back to be on the safe side, which was the better call. I also use the sprinkles. As for the weight gain, I never really gained more than about ten pounds, but I stay active and mainly keep it off. My doctor also put me on Topamax, which helps balance out the weight gain because Topamax makes you lose weight and Depakote makes you gain, so they both kind of cancel each other out. Topamax also helps with seizures, so it was an addition, and I have been seizure-free for 13 years."

• Bea...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 21, 2018

Divalproex sodium for Migraine Prevention "Was on Depakote ER for years at a very high dose (2400 mg), and while it completely prevented my migraines with aura (numb face, tingling arm, bad visual changes, dizziness, etc.), the side effects were not worth it. Severe weight gain (I went from about 115 to 170 lb in a couple of years). Menstruation stopped completely. Pre-diabetes. Although it can be used to stabilize mood, it created mood swings in me. Horrible, horrible medicine with very serious side effects. Depakote ER should not be used on women of childbearing age due to the effects it has on your hormones. I've been off it for almost 8 years, and my health has returned to normal. I started a daily calcium channel blocker, and it's prevented most of my migraines."